The water was shallow, aprox. 4 or 5 ft deep. This was perfect for beginners because you can stop and stand up if you get tired.

I have swam the distance several times and can easily swim 1 mile in the pool, but this was my first open water swim. I am not sure if it was the nerves or the cold water but i started to swim and quickly could not catch my breath. I am not a great swimmer but i do know enough to know that the poor swim was not due to lack of preparation but more so due to inexperience. I think i took off to fast, not in a rhythm and ran out of breath, and could never get caught back up.

Also although i do feel as though I had a bad swim it looks like everyone had a slow swim, which makes me wonder if it was slightly longer than 300yrds.

Tried to stay calm, not try to win the race in the first 10 yards. staying calm and keeping my rhythm would have helped my swim.

was not sure if i should wear my glasses or not since it was overcast. this hesitation cost me a few seconds. but i think it was not bad for a first timer.

know exactly what to do with glasses if you are not sure if you need them. Put them in the holes in your helmet.

I made the ultimate rookie mistake! My bike was not in the right gear at the start of the ride so it took some time to get it in gear and rolling. There was a very strong headwind, which turned to a tailwind on the way back.

have my bike in the right gear.

I put my race belt under my shoes so it would not blow away but when i put my shoes on i took off and forgot to put the belt on. Luckly my personal cheering section let me know and i went back to get it.

Put my race belt in my shoe so i have to take it out to put my shoes on. Hopefully that will help me not forget it.

I am a very slow runner. and this is about the pace i usually run so i was happy with the run. The water station was at about the 1.5 mile mark so it was tough going the whole distance with out water. Wish they would have had the water at about the .75 to 1 mile mark.

do speed work in training.

drink some water and vist with people i met during the race.


My breathing or lack thereof on the swim really mad the rest of the race hard for me.

This was my first race ever so I would sa i did as good as i could have reasonably expected to.


This was a GREAT beginner race. It was very well organized and everyone was very helpful. the distance was perfect for a first timer. it was short enough that i could do it but long enough for me to learn what i need to work on.